GULLS stayed in the promotion mix by returning from their relegation-threatened Surrey hosts with a priceless point.

But they will rue failing to pick up the victory that would have seen them just two points off the play-off places — particularly as their hosts were down to 10 men for the last 55 minutes after having Justyn Roberts sent off for collecting two cautions.

And the Islanders will also regret failing to convert a 47th-minute penalty, awarded for a trip by Robins’ Lewis Gonsalves in the box.

Top scorer James Rowe took responsibility for the set-piece, but home goalkeeper Nick Hamann dived to his right to save. Before Carshalton were reduced to 10 men, Canvey had come closest to breaking the deadlock.

Tarkan Mustafa was allowed plenty of space on the wing and he put in a cross which Gabriel Fanibuyan fired over the bar.

Then a header from unmarked defender Chris Moore, back in action from a two-match ban, was heading for goal before David Ray produced a goal-line clearance.

Moore again went close, Hamann saving, after the spot-kick miss, but the hosts did produce a late rally in which Rashid Jamara went close and Richard Jolly produced two late efforts.

Canvey, 10th in the table, are due at Aveley tonight in the quarter-finals of the League Cup, which is sponsored by Championship Manager.

Yesterday’s torrential rain makes that fixture look very unlikely and Gulls will look to improve their poor home record, and steal a march on visitors AFC Hornchurch in the play-off race, in next Saturday's Brockwell Stadium clash.

The Urchins are currently a place above John Batch’s Islanders with a better goal difference — the two sides being level on points with both having 14 games to go.